Harbor seal pup rescued in Palo Alto dies

By Jason Green

Daily News Staff Writer

Posted:
05/14/2013 10:24:52 PM PDT

Updated:
05/14/2013 11:56:46 PM PDT

Click photo to enlarge

Palo Alto Animal Control Officer William Warrior holds a rescued a 5-week-old harbor seal that was in distress near the Mayfield Slough tide gate on Tuesday, April 9, 2013. The marine mammal was taken to the Wildlife Care Center and then transferred to the Sausalito-based Marine Mammal Center. (Cody Macartney / Palo Alto Animal Services)

A harbor seal pup rescued from a Palo Alto waterway last month has died, according to the Marine Mammal Center.

A necropsy performed by veterinarians determined the pinniped's death on April 29 was likely caused by a lung infection, Jim Oswald, a spokesman for the Sausalito-based facility, said Tuesday.

Distressed and alone, "Floodgate Dolly" was plucked from the Mayfield Slough by Palo Alto animal control officers on April 9. He was transferred later that day to the Marine Mammal Center, becoming the first of his kind to be admitted from the city in two decades.

The pup was less than 5 weeks old and 11 pounds underweight when he arrived at the facility.

He was fed smoothies comprised of salmon oil and a milk-matrix to help fatten him up.

He was named Floodgate Dolly because he was found near a tide gate and initially thought to be female.

The pup was likely born across the Bay in Fremont's Mowry Slough, where harbor seals have a "haul-out" spot, according to Oswald. Pups typically drink milk from their mothers for the first few weeks of life and are weaned when they are between 4 and 6 weeks old.

It's not clear whether Floodgate Dolly was separated from his mother or was struggling to make it on his own.

Members of the public who encounter a distressed marine mammal are encouraged to call the Marine Mammal Center at 415-289-7325 and stay back at least 50 feet. Dogs should also be kept away.